Phew what a journey & roller-coaster it has been for little old me this past ten days!
It all kicked off last week, when I read in my local newspaper "Norwich Evening News" that "The X-factor" were holding auditions at Epic Studios in Norwich on Wednesday 9th April 2014. Being a Norwich local & living nearby, I thought let me give it another try as what have I got to lose!
I did successfully make it to the Live "X-Factor" Auditions in 2012 as my character, Donna Africa Zulu Warrior Poet - which was a poetry performance act and not that of a singing act! I had a great time and much fun meeting Jedward and the Celeb Judges, Louis Walsh, Mel B and Gary Barlow but did not get any further in the competition.
So I set off to my first Audition for "The X-factor" at the Epic Studios, clad in my Donna Africa Cabaret Costume - Red top hat, red boa, black corset, shorts, fishnets & black velvet gloves. I joined the long queue and only after 3 hours got to perform my song & dance act to a lovely young lady who said, she loved my act and especially my energy. She congratulated me and put me through to the second stage of "The X-factor Auditions" held in London at the "Emirates Stadium" home to the Arsenal Football Club.
Monday 14th April arrived and with train ticket & suitcase in hand, I set off for my Stage 2 "X-factor" audition in London at "The Emirates Stadium" with my best buddy & side-kick Stefan Blakemore aka my Battrekker! Stefan was fantastic at negotiating all the tubes as I am not a fan of the tubes but Stefan helped me with my fear and we got there!
Stefan and I joined the queue outside with my letter in hand and were met by a very friendly security officer who was very kind and assisted us. It was not long before we were herded into the large waiting lounge after going through security and registration procedures and placed in Group C. Which I later discovered were fellow Norwich Locals as we encouraged and chatted excitely among ourselves as we awaited nervously for our audition & moment to arrive.
Eventually, I had my second audition with two lovely young ladies who asked me questions and then I performed my song & dance act for them of which afterwards I was handed a red congratulations ticket to go through to the next stage!
As I walked out of the audition room triumphantly with my red ticket in hand, through the corridor I was met with shouts of congratulations from my fellow "X-factor" hopefuls! I was ecstatic and exhausted at the same time and very thankful that my next audition and final 3 Stage was scheduled for Wednesday 16th April 2014.
Wednesday arrived and feeling relaxed & well rehearsed, I caught the train to London, destination the Emirates Stadium for my 3rd & final Stage in "The X-factor" audition process. It was thankfully a quick process this time as I was ushered into the audition room, where there was camera man, TV producers, who asked me questions and to begin when I was ready. Well I gave it all I got with gusto & plenty of energy and I thought & felt it went well, although the producers were not giving anything away and I left clueless whether I had or had not made it to the Live Show!
I was then taken to a TV researcher who asked me questions about myself and my life of which I replied openly, directly and with honestly. I was informed if I have indeed made it through to the Live "X-factor" TV Show I will be notified in 6 - 8 weeks time.
I left the stadium and "The X-Factor" to return home to Norwich with mixed emotions, that of elation, happiness, satisfaction, sadness and deflation as it was all over!
What a roller coaster and journey it has been for little old me and now I patiently await in anticipation............................
With Luv, Light and Liberty,
Donna Africa
"Queen of Dreams"
http://donnaafrica.co.uk